ALLENDALE -- If the Ryan Wheat of today could talk to the 2009 version of himself, he would have some very simple advice.

"Stay home," he said. "Don’t go to that party."

Andre Thomas would take a similar track of self-analysis: "I’d tell him, ‘You’ve got to straighten up, man. It ain’t all about you no more, it’s about the team.’"

Wheat and Thomas, a pair of senior defensive tackles for the Grand Valley State University football team, were suspended indefinitely for what was termed a violation of team rules on Dec. 5, 2009 -- one day before the Lakers played in the Division II national semifinals.

The duo also had to sit out the national championship game -- which GVSU lost to Northwest Missouri State 30-23 -- and then missed the entire 2010 season, as did senior tight end Blair Hollis.

All three are back this year, but it will be Thomas (6-foot-3, 255 pounds) and Wheat (6-5, 305) who bolster a deep and talented defensive line. Also back are senior Danny Richard, who missed last season with a knee injury, and junior Brandon Allen, who sat out the final four games with a broken arm.

Thomas started 11 games in 2009 and had five sacks and 47 tackles. Wheat, a backup that season after transferring from Michigan State, had one sack and 11 tackles in 10 games.

Grand Valley State coach Matt Mitchell said the coaching staff laid out plans before the 2010 season for Thomas and Wheat that eventually could lead to their returns. It was up to them to do the rest.

"It wasn’t like we went out and chased them around, they did it all on their own," Mitchell said. "They knew, too, that if they took care of the stuff that they were supposed to do, the door would be open for their return.

"I think that’s important. People make mistakes, and there are consequences for it, but I’m not one to give up on people too quick."

Both players are grateful for the second chance.

Thomas said he couldn’t watch the 2009 championship game. He still was too depressed to attend last season’s opener, and had to leave the Lakers’ second game by halftime.

Instead, he spent last year running, lifting and "getting my mind right and getting closer to God."

"It took me a while to even come back over to the football center. But everything happened for a reason," Thomas said. "It helped me become a better person, it helped me learn. It was a blessing in disguise."

Wheat said he made it to all the home games, but it wasn’t easy to watch. Like Thomas, he spent last year working out and studying.

"I’m one of two people in my entire family that have ever been to college, and I’ve been told since Day 1 in high school that I have a gift from God and not to let it go to waste," Wheat said. "A lot of good friends of mine from Flint Carman-Ainsworth could have gone a lot further in Division I and because of where they grew up, they just threw it away. I wanted to better myself for my family, my friends and make something of myself. I pushed hard.

"That was a hard lesson to learn, and I learned it well. I won’t be doing that again."

Both Thomas and Wheat said they now feel more mature and are ready to move forward with fresh starts.

"It’s opened up my eyes. It’s a team game, and I need to be out there helping out my team," Thomas said. "I can’t do something stupid that’s going to cost me or cost my team a game or a championship."

Mitchell said it would have been easy for the duo to quit the program entirely, but he gave them credit for putting in some hard work.

"They suffered a year penalty, weren’t a part of this program, didn’t get any scholarship money, had to do some things on their own and they fought through that," Mitchell said. "I think both of these guys see this as a little bit of a lease on life for their senior year and will try to take advantage of those opportunities."